Gas-sensitive synergistic effect of Au-decorated ZnO nano-structured materials for rapid ethanol detection based on simulated sunlight activation

Local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and noble metal modification/doping are classical methods for improving the performance of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS)-based gas sensors. However, relatively less attention is paid to their synergies. In particular, research on synergistic gas-sensing technology that combines sunlight activation with other methods is significant for using friendly energy. In this study, Au-decorated ZnO (Au/ZnO) nano-structured materials (NMs) are successfully synthesised using a cost-effective nano-seed-assisted chemical bath and UV irradiation growth methods. The sensor based on this material exhibits superior performance in ethanol vapour under simulated sunlight, maintaining high sensitivity and repeatability at a low optimal working temperature. In particular, the sensitivity to 100 ppm of ethanol is 7.5 times better and the response time is 20 times shorter (t_res < 1 s) in simulated sunlight than in the dark environment. The limit of detection (LOD) of ethanol is as low as 97 ppb, which is much lower than the concentration in exhaled breath of driving under the influence of alcohol according to Chinese law (20–80 ppm). This study provides a reliable and ultra-fast ethanol detection method, with potential applications in environmental monitoring and traffic safety. A possible gas-sensitive mechanism of the Au/ZnO ethanol vapour sensor is proposed based on the synergistic effect between simulated sunlight activation (LSPR, humidity resistance and thermal activation) and noble metal modification (electron sensitisation and chemical sensitisation). It provides a promising method for exploring the utilisation of sunlight for rapid gas detection.